Letters to the editor - March 21, 2013

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

I heartily agree with Commissioners Chairman Woody White’s recent assessment that our community’s emphasis on Titan is having an impact on business recruitment in New Hanover County.

I believe that this effect is positive, however, and I disagree with his assertion that the community should forgo discussing what is likely to be the most important business decision in our community for a long time.

The longevity of this discussion and the tenacity of the anti-Titan forces are clear indications that this issue is of enormous importance to Wilmington and New Hanover in general.

I would hope that those persons elected to represent us would welcome citizen participation in the discussion rather than requesting that we hold our tongues.

Given the depth of concern over this particular issue, and its effects on all other business discussions, it seems that the sensible approach should be to send a clear signal to Titan that they are not welcome.

The best way to move this topic to the shelf is to clearly and permanently take Titan off the table.

Anthony Snider,Wilmington

Bible classes valuable

Teaching the Bible, especially the New Testament, is to learn what the Christian faith is and how it relates to the Hebrew Scriptures, thus discerning that the New Testament reveals what the Old Testament conceals. (“On Bibles in school,” March 14.)

Senate Bill 138 does stipulate that “religious neutrality” must be maintained, which is the way any book ought to be read, open-mindedly. Therefore, knowledge of the Bible may be conducive to accepting or rejecting the Christian faith

Students learn in science the workings of the physical aspect of nature. The study of the Bible, on the other hand, brings forth the spiritual make-up of humans. These two aspects of nature give students a more complete knowledge and better understanding of who they are.

It seems to me that no matter what the proven expertise a teacher may have of teaching the Bible as an academic subject, students will surely learn who Christ is and what Christ did, which is the essence of the Christian faith. …

Therefore, I am all for students having the option to study the content of the Bible in public schools.

Moorad Alexanian,Wilmington

They’re not like us

Congressional representatives have their agendas and their pet projects. Time now for all to work together to solve this massive problem.

The shameful waste that has occurred in government must be eradicated, but must not be done solely on the backs of the poor and middle class already suffering.

Now that we have begun to pull back from the edge of a depression, Congress is putting into motion events that can be disastrous for this recovery. Although the election spoke volumes about the majority of Americans’ priorities, politicians are putting their parties’ interests before the American peoples’ interest. For certain people, taxing the wealthy and closing their tax loop holes are sacred cows, although many pay at a lower rate than middle-class Americans.

Yet these same people in Congress voted to continue subsidizing large, profitable corporations rather than cut these programs. … I found that almost 50 percent of our congressmen are classified as millionaires. Is that like the fox guarding the hen house, or more precisely, a total conflict of interest? Why would they want to tax themselves or cut their loopholes?

A sequester now will impact those suffering the most resulting from previous economic disasters summed up in two words: Iraq and Wall Street! Citizens tell your leaders to work together for the continuing success of recovery and the country.

<p class="bold allcaps">Growth talk good, but Titan must go</p>
<p>I heartily agree with Commissioners Chairman Woody White's recent assessment that our community's emphasis on Titan is having an impact on business recruitment in New Hanover County.</p><p>I believe that this effect is positive, however, and I disagree with his assertion that the community should forgo discussing what is likely to be the most important business decision in our community for a long time. </p><p>The longevity of this discussion and the tenacity of the anti-Titan forces are clear indications that this issue is of enormous importance to Wilmington and New Hanover in general. </p><p>I would hope that those persons elected to represent us would welcome citizen participation in the discussion rather than requesting that we hold our tongues. </p><p>Given the depth of concern over this particular issue, and its effects on all other business discussions, it seems that the sensible approach should be to send a clear signal to Titan that they are not welcome. </p><p>The best way to move this topic to the shelf is to clearly and permanently take Titan off the table. </p><p><b>Anthony Snider,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p><h3>Bible classes valuable</h3>
<p>Teaching the Bible, especially the New Testament, is to learn what the Christian faith is and how it relates to the Hebrew Scriptures, thus discerning that the New Testament reveals what the Old Testament conceals. (“On Bibles in school,” March 14.)</p><p>Senate Bill 138 does stipulate that “religious neutrality” must be maintained, which is the way any book ought to be read, open-mindedly. Therefore, knowledge of the Bible may be conducive to accepting or rejecting the Christian faith </p><p>Students learn in science the workings of the physical aspect of nature. The study of the Bible, on the other hand, brings forth the spiritual make-up of humans. These two aspects of nature give students a more complete knowledge and better understanding of who they are. </p><p>It seems to me that no matter what the proven expertise a teacher may have of teaching the Bible as an academic subject, students will surely learn who Christ is and what Christ did, which is the essence of the Christian faith. … </p><p>Therefore, I am all for students having the option to study the content of the Bible in public schools.</p><p><b>Moorad Alexanian,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p><h3>They're not like us</h3>
<p>Congressional representatives have their agendas and their pet projects. Time now for all to work together to solve this massive problem.</p><p>The shameful waste that has occurred in government must be eradicated, but must not be done solely on the backs of the poor and middle class already suffering.</p><p>Now that we have begun to pull back from the edge of a depression, Congress is putting into motion events that can be disastrous for this recovery. Although the election spoke volumes about the majority of Americans' priorities, politicians are putting their parties' interests before the American peoples' interest. For certain people, taxing the wealthy and closing their tax loop holes are sacred cows, although many pay at a lower rate than middle-class Americans. </p><p>Yet these same people in Congress voted to continue subsidizing large, profitable corporations rather than cut these programs. … I found that almost 50 percent of our congressmen are classified as millionaires. Is that like the fox guarding the hen house, or more precisely, a total conflict of interest? Why would they want to tax themselves or cut their loopholes?</p><p>A sequester now will impact those suffering the most resulting from previous economic disasters summed up in two words: Iraq and Wall Street! Citizens tell your leaders to work together for the continuing success of recovery and the country.</p><p><b>Carol Young,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p>